To ensure the continuous effective and efficient management of the parks system in Davao City, the City Government of Davao has ordered the reconstitution of the Davao City Parks System Management Board (DCPSMB) through Executive Order (EO) No. 52, Series of 2022.
Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte signed EO 52 on October 3, 2022, citing the priority thrust of the City Government of Davao to attain an improved quality of life for all Dabawenyos.
EO 52 also cited Article Il, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that the state shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and development, as well as Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991, which states that local government units shall exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate or incidental to the efficient and effective provision of the basic services and facilities.
The Code also enumerated basic services and facilities, including public parks, freedom parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, equipment,
and other similar facilities.
City Ordinance No. 0682-19, otherwise known as the Davao City Parks System Management Ordinance, states that there shall be a Parks System Management Board that shall be responsible for formulating plans, policies, and courses of action for the standard and singular maintenance of all public parks, plazas, promenades, center islands, heritage sites, protected areas, conservation areas, riverbanks and memorials within the City of Davao.
The DCPSMB is mandated to formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of City Ordinance No. 0682-19 or the Davao City Parks System Management Ordinance; ensure the implementation of all the provisions of the Davao City Parks System Management Ordinance and its Implementing Rules and Regulations; adopt guidelines for the use of parks for special occasions; devise policies and procedures for the unitary parameter of all public parks, green spaces, and green strips in Davao City, providing for their proper preservation and regulation for the furtherance of the ecological balance of the community; propose ways and means to ensure the best and most desirable facilities that shall be placed in the City Parks; approve the architectural design and structural models of public parks, green spaces, and green strips prepared by the Parks and Playground Division of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the City Planning and Development Office, the Interim Office of the City Architect, and the City Engineer’s Office; identify and map out street islands and existing parks that are open for possible adoption; and conduct a continuing information and education campaign to generate public awareness and participation on the importance of establishing and sustainably managing public parks and open spaces.
It shall be composed of the city mayor as the chairperson, the city administrator as co-chairperson, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) officer-in-charge as vice-chairperson.
The members are the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment chairperson, CENRO’s duly authorized representative, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism chairperson, Liga ng mga Barangay president, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, City Tourism Operations Office, City Planning and Development Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Legal Office,
Interim Office of the City Architect, City Transport and Traffic Management Office, Museo Dabawenyo representative, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and two representatives from non-government organizations who are members of environmental conservation or protection groups, a representative from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc., and a representative from the United Architects of the Philippines. These offices shall name their respective permanent representatives.
CENRO shall serve as the DCPSMB secretariat tasked to handle all administrative and/or secretarial-related activities.
EO 52 further provides that a Technical Working Group shall be created to assist the committee in discharging its functions whose composition shall be determined by the committee members.
“To ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of the Parks Ordinance, any budgetary requirements needed for the operation and implementation of the Parks Ordinance shall be taken from any available funds in the Annual Budget subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” the EO stated.
Read the full copy of EO 52, Series of 2022 here https://dcstaging.davaocity.gov.ph/transparency/executive-orders/2022-2/. CIO
